News Release ~ 02/27/1998

Defense Bar Congratulates FBI Lab Whistleblower

Search For Truth ContinuesStatement of NACDL President Gerald B. Lefcourt

Washington, DC (February 27, 1998) -- The National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers congratulated Dr. Frederic Whitehurst on settlement of his whistleblower suit against the FBI today with a statement from its President, Gerald B. Lefcourt, of New York:

"I want to personally congratulate Fred Whitehurst for having the courage to come forward and expose 'junk science' and forensic fraud in courtrooms everywhere. NACDL and Dr. Whitehurst continue to process tens of thousands of pages of Justice Department documents relating to the Inspector General's FBI Lab investigation. Our joint Freedom of Information Act suit is still pending, as is our mutual search for truth and justice.

"A good cop is an American hero. A good cop investigates honestly, testifies truthfully and competently, and reports wrongdoing wherever he finds it, and I think that describes Agent Whitehurst perfectly. Fred is an American hero."

The National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers is the preeminent organization advancing the mission of the criminal defense bar to ensure justice and due process for persons accused of crime or wrongdoing. A professional bar association founded in 1958, NACDL's approximately 10,000 direct members in 28 countries – and 90 state, provincial and local affiliate organizations totaling up to 40,000 attorneys – include private criminal defense lawyers, public defenders, military defense counsel, law professors and judges committed to preserving fairness and promoting a rational and humane criminal justice system.